Cultural Programs and Services

Our commitment to cultural diversity

Diversity has long been a core value at the University of North Texas. We believe that students who interact with people from diverse backgrounds are better prepared to succeed after graduation.

As a public institution, we are deeply committed to valuing, preserving and continuously expanding the vibrant and diverse nature of our community. UNT has traditionally been a leader among Texas universities in serving students of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In keeping with that tradition, we are proud to offer several resources and opportunities that continue to nurture and create an inclusive community at UNT.

Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity

This division advocates inclusiveness on campus and is committed to maintaining a welcoming environment by providing a safe zone for everyone. Scholarship opportunities are available to incoming freshmen, transfer students and graduate students to assist with college expenses.

The division also sponsors several Special Interest Group Networks (SIGNs) for our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Participants share similar ethnic or cultural backgrounds and discuss matters relating to equity and inclusion. The division also hosts numerous cultural awareness programs for students in elementary school up to the community college level.

The Multicultural Center

Our Multicultural Center, located in the University Union Room 218, welcomes everyone to experience the university’s cultural wealth. We provide resources, information, educational seminars and events that celebrate diversity and build inclusion with an emphasis on ethnicity/race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and disability.

Services offered by the center include:

• diversity programming (campus safety programs, Café Diversity discussions, gender and pride initiatives, dating and domestic violence awareness, disability awareness, Asian History Month, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Native American Indian Heritage Month)
• conferences (Asian Pacific American Empowerment Conference and the Equity and Diversity Conference)
• Ally Training (creates a safe zone for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people at UNT)
• academic assistance resources (the Alton and Renay Scales Ethnic Studies Library, the Norma Williams Book Collection, computers, printers, free fax and copying services for students)

Mentoring programs

The transition from life in high school to life in college brings with it new experiences and challenges for incoming students. To ease the transition, we offer mentoring programs through the Multicultural Center, the Orientation and Transition Programs office, and various academic units. Different criteria, including ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are used to match incoming freshman with a peer mentor. Peer mentors are usually faculty members, staff members or other students.

Student organizations

UNT features more than 400 student organizations, including many that celebrate students’ cultural heritage. Some organizations can provide you with a voice in student government or act as a support group as you promote intercultural awareness to all UNT students. These organizations include:

Career-related

• Bilingual/ESL Student Organization
• National Association of Black Journalists
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

Cultural and international

• African Students Organization
• Asian Student Association
• Filipino Student Association

Fraternities

• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Iota Phi Theta
• Lambda Theta Phi
• Omega Delta Phi
• Omega Psi Phi
• Phi Beta Sigma
• Phi Iota Alpha
• Sigma Beta Rho
• Sigma Lambda Beta

Social and political awareness

• LULAC
• College Republicans
• College Democrats

Sororities

• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Delta Kappa Delta
• Delta Phi Omega
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Gamma Phi Omega
• Kappa Delta Chi
• Lambda Theta Alpha
• Sigma Gamma Rho
• Sigma Lambda Gamma
• Zeta Phi Beta

Religious and spiritual

• Baptist Student Ministry
• Hillel
• Muslim Manga

For a complete list and more information on student organizations, visit the Student Activities website.

Special programs

Various departments on campus host special speakers or events to educate our community about issues facing a particular culture. Information about such events is available on our Event Calendar.